Saturday, March 19, 2011

SXSW: More Shilpa Ray, plus Erland & the Carnival

Thank god for Austin Convention Center's industrial-strength wireless: Despite thousands of people simultaneously tweeting and texting this morning, I've been able to upload some brand footage from last night's SXSW show — in hi-res, no less — by the amazingly talented Shilpa Ray & Her Happy Hookers.

The New Jersey native, dressed In a sleeveless John Lee Hooker t-shirt and wielding the harmonium she learned to play growing up in an Indian household, Ray captured the spirit of the best early '80s punk rock, belting out street-smart originals that were tough, passionate and literate.

And while we're at it, scroll down further for bonus footage of the UK's Erland & the Carnival playing the Jackson C. Frank song from which they took their name.